Second of two lunar perigees in one month on November 27



Tonight’s moon and Mars appear in the evening sky as soon as darkness falls. On this date (November 27, 2014), for the second time this month, the moon swings to perigee – nearest point to Earth in its orbit. The moon last reached perigee on November 3. Because this is the second of two lunar perigees to occur in one calendar month, perhaps we could call the second one a blue moon perigee. Just kidding!


The November 27 perigee finds the moon at 369,827 kilometers (229,800 miles) distant. That’s nearly two thousand kilometers farther than the November 3 perigee, when the moon was 367,879 kilometers (228,589 miles) away.


In fact, the November 27 perigee ranks the most distant lunar perigee of the year. A more distant perigee won’t come again until September 13, 2017 (369,860 kilometers).


On sale! 25% off EarthSky lunar calendars. We’re giving thanks for all of you.


In November 2014, the moon reaches perigee twice: November 3 and November 27. Image credit: NASA

In November 2014, the moon reaches perigee twice: November 3 and November 27. Image credit: NASA



Perigees are nowhere close to equal throughout the year. The closest perigee of 2014 fell on August 10, when the moon swung within 356,896 kilometers of Earth. That’s nearly 13,000 kilometers closer than the farthest perigee of November 27 (369,827 kilometers).


Perigees aligning with the full moon and new moon bring about the year’s closest perigees. The two closest of 2014:



1. August 10, 2014: 356,896 kilometers (full moon)

2. January 1, 2014: 356,923 kilometers (new moon)



Perigees happening in the vicinity of the quarter moons bring about the year’s farthest perigees. The two farthest of 2014:



1. November 27, 2014: 369,827 kilometers (first quarter moon)

2. April 23, 2014: 369,765 kilometers (last quarter moon)



Moon at perigee and apogee 2001 to 2100


Today’s November 27 perigee happens at 23:11 Universal Time. At US time zones, that converts to 6:11 p.m. EST, 5:11 p.m. CST, 4:11 p.m. MST or 3:11 p.m. PST.


Bottom line: For the second time this month, the moon today swings to perigee – nearest point to Earth in its orbit. The moon is at 369,827 kilometers (229,800 miles) distant today, farther from Earth than it will be again until September 13, 2017.


EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store






from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1rxujK0

Tonight’s moon and Mars appear in the evening sky as soon as darkness falls. On this date (November 27, 2014), for the second time this month, the moon swings to perigee – nearest point to Earth in its orbit. The moon last reached perigee on November 3. Because this is the second of two lunar perigees to occur in one calendar month, perhaps we could call the second one a blue moon perigee. Just kidding!


The November 27 perigee finds the moon at 369,827 kilometers (229,800 miles) distant. That’s nearly two thousand kilometers farther than the November 3 perigee, when the moon was 367,879 kilometers (228,589 miles) away.


In fact, the November 27 perigee ranks the most distant lunar perigee of the year. A more distant perigee won’t come again until September 13, 2017 (369,860 kilometers).


On sale! 25% off EarthSky lunar calendars. We’re giving thanks for all of you.


In November 2014, the moon reaches perigee twice: November 3 and November 27. Image credit: NASA

In November 2014, the moon reaches perigee twice: November 3 and November 27. Image credit: NASA



Perigees are nowhere close to equal throughout the year. The closest perigee of 2014 fell on August 10, when the moon swung within 356,896 kilometers of Earth. That’s nearly 13,000 kilometers closer than the farthest perigee of November 27 (369,827 kilometers).


Perigees aligning with the full moon and new moon bring about the year’s closest perigees. The two closest of 2014:



1. August 10, 2014: 356,896 kilometers (full moon)

2. January 1, 2014: 356,923 kilometers (new moon)



Perigees happening in the vicinity of the quarter moons bring about the year’s farthest perigees. The two farthest of 2014:



1. November 27, 2014: 369,827 kilometers (first quarter moon)

2. April 23, 2014: 369,765 kilometers (last quarter moon)



Moon at perigee and apogee 2001 to 2100


Today’s November 27 perigee happens at 23:11 Universal Time. At US time zones, that converts to 6:11 p.m. EST, 5:11 p.m. CST, 4:11 p.m. MST or 3:11 p.m. PST.


Bottom line: For the second time this month, the moon today swings to perigee – nearest point to Earth in its orbit. The moon is at 369,827 kilometers (229,800 miles) distant today, farther from Earth than it will be again until September 13, 2017.


EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store






from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1rxujK0

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